Numerous WWII coastal defences around Ramsgate Harbour including anti tank blocks, barbed wire, gun pits and military structures, all visible on military aerial photographs.

On the eastern side of the harbour there is a low standing area of obstacles presumably creating a blockade between the harbour and the town. This feature is 87m long and is generally 10m wide. It is first visible and has been mapped from photographs taken in December 1941 [1] and is gone by April 1946 [2].

Two sections of anti tank blocks are also first visible on photographs taken in February 1941 [5], blocking access from the harbour, comprising two lines of blocks with a small gap between them. The first section prevents access onto Albion Hill and Madeira Walk (measuring 30m long), whilst the other section prevents access on to Royal Parade and Leopold Street (measuring 26m long). These features are gone by April 1946 [2].

Two circular gun pits are also present at West Cliff Arcade. They appear to be constructed of sandbags and have a small gap as an entrance. The internal diameters measure 3m and 2.7m and they are closely situated beside one another. They are first visible in February 1941 [3] and were mapped from photographs taken in December 1941 [1], and have been dismantled by April 1946 [2].

Several military buildings are also located around the harbour. Approximately 100m to the SW of the two gun pits mentioned above, are two closely situated military structures that may be initially visible in February 1941 (although it is difficult to see) [3]. They have been mapped from photographs taken in December 1941 [1] and have been demolished by April 1946 [2]. The structure to the north is circular with a diameter of 6.7m and the other building is rectangular and measures 5.4m by 4.5m.

Three military buildings are situated on the western side of the harbour; two of which are rectangular and measure 5.2m by 4.3m, 5m by 3m, whilst the third (possibly a pillbox) is a hexagonal D-shape and measures 4.5m by 4m. They are intially visible in February 1941 [3] and have been mapped from photographs taken in May 1942 [5]. The most westerly building located on Paragon Promenade is gone by April 1946 [2], whereas the other two buildings are gone by September 1962 [6]. Presumably these are military structures associated with defending Ramsgate harbour. A small square gun pit, constructed using sandbags, is also visible approximately 60m to the east of the D-shaped structure and has an internal length of 2m. It was first visible in February 1941 [3] and is gone by April 1946 [2].

Another rectangular flat-roofed building is also visible on the end of the harbour wall, measuring 8.2m by 8m. It is first visible in, and has been mapped from, photographs taken in December 1941 [1], and is gone by June 1980 [7].

Two distinct areas of barbed wire are also visible and have been mapped using photographs from December 1941 [1]. One section comprises a thickness of three rolls of barbed wire, each of which is approximately 175m in length. It is located in the former timber yard (now re-developed) on the western side of the harbour and would have prevented access on land from this area. Prior to the barbed wire being laid down, a small square gun pit was constructed with an internal diameter of 1m , which was first visible in February 1941 [3] and is gone by December 1941 [1].

The second section of barbed wire comprises two lengths of wire and forms a U-shaped enclosure on Royal Parade, around steps leading from the harbour up on to the cliff top where the main town lies, and measures 135m in total length. The barbed wire has been removed by April 1946 [2]. Other military features are present within the enclosure of barbed wire on Royal Parade and include two phases of gun pits and a structure. The first phase, visible in December 1941 [1], comprises two circular gun pits (possibly constructed from sandbags) with internal diameters of 2.7m and 3m, located around 12m apart. The northern gun pit is backfilled by May 1942, whereas the southern one is still in use and is backfilled and gone by April 1946 [2]. The irregularly shaped structure measures 4.5m by 4.7m (maximum width) and is located on the cliff edge. It is gone by April 1946 [2]. The second phase of gun pits, mapped from photographs taken in May 1942 [4], shows two much smaller circular ditches to the east and west of the first phase of gun pit features, and measure 2.4m and 3.3m long. These features are gone by April 1946 [2].

Pillbox [Sector 7]. Cassini ref 824823. Near Ramsgate harbour. (1)

A type 24 Second World War pillbox [Sector 7] located at the landward end of the western arm of the harbour wall at TR 3821 6445 visible on aerial photographs taken in 1941. This was mapped as part of the Historic England: Ramsgate HAZ project.(2)

Historic England archive material: DEB01 Defence of Britain This material has not yet been fully catalogued. Copyright, date, and quantity information for this record may be incomplete or inaccurate.Box files containing the record sheets gathered from participants in the Defence of Britain Project. The project recorded, with the help of volunteers, the remains of military structures in Britain. The collection is arranged by county and split between anti-invasion and non anti-invasion defences. The record sheets record the visible structures and include location details, structure type and purpose and include photographs.

<1-2> RAF, 1941, RAF/HLA/380 622 15-DEC-1941 (Photograph). SKE55746.